Best of the Best Civil Justice Resources

• Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County Commercial Court Evaluation
  This report discusses the establishment and evaluation of the Arizona Commercial Court in the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County, which was implemented as a pilot project on July 1, 2015. The primary goal of the Commercial Court was to address the unique needs of business cases by assigning them to judges with substantial commercial and civil case management experience. The Commercial Court was authorized to conduct a three-year pilot project to ensure that a sufficient number of cases was assigned and managed through the program to make an informed judgment about the effectiveness of the Commercial Court in meeting its goals. The evaluation employed case-level data extracted from the court’s case management system, surveys of attorneys in cases assigned to the Commercial Court, and focus groups with attorneys and litigants.  The report also describes several challenges that the Commercial Court encountered during implementation, the steps taken to address those challenges, and recommendations for additional modifications to increase effectiveness.

• Impact of the FASTAR Pilot Program on Civil Cases in the Superior Court in Pima County
  This report summarizes findings from an evaluation of a pilot project in the Superior Court in Pima County, Arizona.  The pilot project was designed to provide parties in cases valued less than $50,000 to choose to have their case resolved by bench or jury trial rather than compulsory arbitration.  The evaluation found that one-quarter of plaintiffs chose the “Fast Trial” option, and approximately 3% of those cases were eventually disposed by bench or jury trial, fulfilling the program’s expectations that attorneys would gain valuable trial experience.  However, attorney survey responses indicated less positive assessments, especially concerning the fairness of the program rules to plaintiffs and restrictions on the right to appeal from arbitration judgments.
• Evaluation of a Demonstration Pilot Project of the Civil Justice Initiative, Fulton County Magistrate Court (2019)
  This report summarizes findings from an evaluation of a demonstration pilot project in the Fulton County Magistrate Court (FCMC).  The pilot project was designed to implement and test the impact of recommendations to improve case management practices for high-volume dockets and to improve litigants’ experience with the court system.  Specific improvements included the development and promulgation of informational resources for FCMC litigants; adjustments of court calendars to relieve case backlogs in dispossessory (landlord/tenant) cases; and the development of tools and training for judges and court staff to ensure consistent and accurate case processing.  The reforms reduced time to disposition and litigant agreement that the informational resources were helpful for navigating the court process.  The report concludes with conclusions about the lessons learned from implementing the reforms and recommendations for future efforts.
• Civil Justice Initiative Pilot Project (CJIPP) Evaluation for 22nd Judicial Circuit Court of McHenry County, Illinois (2019)
  This report summarizes findings from an evaluation of the impact of the Civil Justice Initiative Project (CJIP) in the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court of McHenry County, Illinois.  CJIP was an ambitious plan to implement all 13 CJI recommendations.  The Court began its process by conducting a landscape assessment of its civil caseload and identifying strengths and weaknesses in civil case processing.  With support from a specially appointed civil case manager, the Court developed civil case pathways for each of the civil calendars.  Court administration also developed technology tools to improve communication with lawyers and litigants, and enhanced case management reports to better inform judges about the status of the pending caseloads.  Too little time has elapsed since CJIP was fully implemented to gauge its long term impact, but initial analyses indicated increased attorney awareness of case movement and deadlines; increased judicial and court staff attention to administrative orders and case reports; increased dialogue and buy-in around active case management; and significantly reduced time to disposition for the pending caseload.  The project also highlighted the importance of judicial leadership and effective communication strategies to ensure stakeholder awareness, understanding, and support for reform efforts.
• Civil Justice Initiative Pilot Project (CJIPP) Evaluation for Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida (Miami-Dade) (2019)
  This report summarizes findings from an evaluation of the impact of the Civil Justice Initiative Pilot Project (CJIPP) in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida (Miami-Dade).  Implementing Civil Case Management Teams (CCMTs) to support four judges in the Circuit Civil Division resulted in significantly higher case closure rates and reductions in time-to-disposition compared to cases assigned to judges operating with preexisting case management practices.  Most attorneys for CJIPP cases agreed that the program improved civil case management, and CJIPP judges reported that the program removed some of the administrative burden of case management, providing more time to gather information about cases, review case details before hearings or deciding motions, and other case or legal-related tasks.  The report concludes with lessons learned about implementing CCMTs.
• Oregon: Civil Justice Improvements Committee Report (2018)
  The Oregon Judiciary's Civil Justice Improvements Task Force studied statewide trial statistics and analyzed each of the 13 recommendations in the CJI's Call to Action: Achieving Civil Justice for All in light of those statistics. The report makes recommendations that include low-cost methods to rebuild the state's judicial and staff training programs.
• Arizona: Commercial Court Review Committee's Report (2018)
  This report discusses and makes recommendations concerning the commercial court pilot program in Maricopa County that received overwhelming support from both attorneys and judges.
• Florida's 11th Judicial Circuit Court: 2018 CJI Pilot Project Performance Report (2018). 
  This report analyzes the team case management approach to reduce cost and delay in civil cases in Florida's 11th Judicial Circuit Court. The project utilized highly skilled civil case staffing teams to support the judiciary by providing consistent oversight to ensure that cases were progressing toward resolution in a meaningful way.
• Arizona: Implementation Challenges: 2018 Revisions to the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure (2018)
  Hon. Kate Toomey, Hon. Chuck Harrington, and Jodi Knobel Feuerhelm 
  This video and powerpoint presentation, presented at the Arizona Civil Justice Summit in February of 2018, discusses scheduling orders, tiering, discovery limits, and court culture change.
• Texas: The Impact of the Expedited Actions Rules on the Texas County Courts at Law (NCSC Sept. 2016)
  Paula Hannaford-Agor and Scott Graves 
  This report analyzes the impact of a rules change in Texas civil cases intended to address the duration, cost, and degree of conflict in discovery, costs associated with mediation, time to disposition, and the length of trials in civil cases.
• Utah: The Impact of the Revisions to Rule 26 on Discovery Practice in the Utah District Courts (NCSC April 2015)
  Paula Hannaford-Agor and Cynthia Lee
  This report analyzes the impact of a discovery-practice rule change in Utah's District Courts. In particular, the report discusses the rule change affect on aggregate civil case filings, tier inflation, filing-to-disposition time, and settlement rates.
• Survey of the Arizona Bench and Bar on the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure (2010)
  IAALS
  This paper highlights survey findings examining the practical impact of reforms to the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure. Perceptions on variations between the Arizona Rules and the FRCP are also explored.
• Momentum for Change: The Impact of the Colorado Civil Access Pilot Project (Oct. 2014)
  Corina Gerety and Logan Cornett, IAALS 
  This report is the final iteration of an evaluation of Colorado's Civil Access Pilot Project. The report discusses the effects of the pilot project with respect to time, cost, fairness, discovery, motion practice, and other key aspects of the civil case process.
• Preliminary Findings on the Colorado Civil Access Pilot Project (2014)
  Corina Gerety and Logan Cornett
  This report provides a preliminary evaluation of the Colorado Civil Access Pilot Project on Business Actions implementation.
• Commercial Division Rule Changes will Foster Efficiency and Predictability (Sept. 2014)
  Margaret Dale and David Jacobson, N.Y. L. J. 
  This article highlights recent and potentially forthcoming changes to New York's Commercial Division Rules. These changes are based on the 2012 report of the Task Force on Commercial Litigation in the 21st Century and aim to reduce the delay and expense of litigation.
• Connecticut Civil Re-Engineering Concept Paper (2014)
  This concept paper outlines focus group suggestions and information for improving the civil litigation process.
• A Road Map for Action: Lessons from the Implementation of Recent Civil Rules Projects (2013)
  Corina Gerety
  This report discusses key considerations and decision points when implementing civil rules projects, with a focus on the implementation of Colorado’s Civil Access Pilot Project to Business Actions in District Court.
• New Hampshire: Impact of the Proportional Discovery/Automatic Disclosure (PAD) Pilot Rules (NCSC 2013)
  Paula Hannaford-Agor, Nicole Waters, Cynthia Lee, Susan Keilitz
  National Center for State Courts researchers evaluate the impact of PAD rule implementation on litigation costs, time to disposition, discovery disputes, and other civil litigation issues in two New Hampshire counties.
• Reforming the Iowa Civil Justice System (2012)
  Iowa Civil Justice Reform Task Force
  Reforming the Iowa Civil Justice System outlines reforms to “keep Iowa’s civil justice system vital and responsive in the 21st century.” Suggested reforms include targeting discovery processes, exploring ADR options, and piloting specialty courts.
• Report and Recommendations to the Chief Judge of the State of New York (2012)
  New York Task Force on Commercial Litigation in the 21st Century
  The New York Task Force proposes a variety of reforms to the New York Supreme Court Commercial Division. Among these recommendations are increases in monetary thresholds for actions and various procedural reforms.
• Texas: Final Report of Task Force for Rules in Expedited Civil Action (2012)
  Centered on principal issues such as scope of discovery, disclosure, and time limits, this report to the Texas Supreme Court provides a synopsis of Task Force recommendations regarding changes to Texas’ Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Suffolk Superior Court Business Litigation Session Pilot Project: Final Report on the 2012 Attorney Survey (2012)
  Jordan Singer 
  This report presents survey findings on attorney participation in and satisfaction with the Suffolk Superior Court Business Litigation Session in Massachusetts. Survey results are broken down in detail at the conclusion of the report.
• Minnesota: Final Report of the Civil Justice Task Force (2011)
  This report provides a variety of recommendations for improving the administration of the complex civil cases in Minnesota. The report contains appendices that might be useful as source documents for other committees considering civil justice reforms.
• New York: Report of the Judicial Improvements Committee (2011)
  This report overviews a pilot project to enact best practices for the management of complex civil cases in the Southern District of New York.
• Report and Recommendations of the Supreme Court of Ohio Task Force on Commercial Dockets (2011)
  Applying findings from a multi-year pilot project, the Ohio Taskforce on Commercial Dockets outlines a framework for implementing permanent commercial civil litigation dockets in Ohio’s courts of common pleas.
• Implementing a Civil Cover Sheet: The Pennsylvania Experience (NCSC 2011) Neil LaFountain, Kim Neives, and Laurie Sacerdote
  An interview of the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Court staff details the process of creating and implementing a statewide civil cover sheet for Pennsylvania’s Court of Common Pleas.
• Complex Litigation: Key Findings from the California Pilot Program (NCSC 2004)
  National Center for State Courts
  This article describes the major findings of an evaluation of California’s Complex Civil Litigation Pilot Program as well as distinctive features of complex litigation.
• Reports from the Civil Justice Survey of State Courts (NCSC 1992, 1996, 2001, and 2005)
  The only series that compiles civil litigation data from state courts that is comparable across jurisdiction.
• A Renewed Analysis of the Expedited Actions Rules in  Texas Courts (NCSC 2023)  

  In 2012, Texas enacted the Expedited Actions Rules  (EAR) governing discovery in civil cases valued less than $100,000. A new study finds that the EARs improved fairness, cost, and efficiency in civil justice systems while relieving backlogs exacerbated by the pandemic.

• Reinvigorating Pleadings (2010)
  Rebecca Love Kourlis, Jordan Singer, and Natalie Kowlton
  This Denver University Law Review article proposes and explores a fact-based pleading system to improve civil justice access.

• Arizona: R-17-0010 in a Nutshell (2018) 
  Mark Meltzer and John W. Rogers
  The Arizona Supreme Court's Order in R017-0010 amended or adopted more than a dozen of the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure. This article summarizes how those rule changes 1) create tiering, 2) impact initial filings, meetings, and reports, 3) affect electronically stored information, 4) impact disclosure and discovery, and 5) the sanctions to enforce the rules.
• Utah: The Impact of the Revisions to Rule 26 on Discovery Practice in the Utah District Courts (NCSC April 2015)
  Paula Hannaford-Agor and Cynthia Lee
  This report analyzes the impact of a discovery-practice rule change in Utah's District Courts. In particular, the report discusses the rule change affect on aggregate civil case filings, tier inflation, filing-to-disposition time, and settlement rates.
• Initial Discovery Protocols for Employment Cases Alleging Adverse Action (2011)
  The Federal Judicial Center
  This report describes “pattern” discovery protocols developed as part of a pilot project to reduce unnecessary cost and delay in employment cases. A sample standing order accompanies the report.
• The Effects of the Daubert Trilogy in Delaware Superior Court
  Executive Summary (NCSC 2005)
  Nicole Waters and Jessica Hodge
  This article and accompanying executive summary detail the feasibility of determining the effect of Daubert on the admission of expert testimony in Delaware’s Superior Courts.
• The Changing Role of Judges in the Admissibility of Expert Evidence (NCSC Spring 2006)
  Civil Action - A Briefing on Civil Justice Reform Initiative, Vol. 5, No. 1
• CCJ Guidelines for State Trial Courts Regarding Discovery of Electronically Stored Information (NCSC 2006)
  These guidelines were developed as a reference document to assist state courts in considering issues related to electronic discovery.
• Electronic Discovery: Questions and Answers (NCSC Summer 2004)
  Civil Action, Vol. 3, No. 2
• A Renewed Analysis of the Expedited Actions Rules in  Texas Courts (NCSC 2023)

In 2012, Texas enacted the Expedited Actions Rules  (EAR) governing discovery in civil cases valued less than $100,000. A new study finds that the EARs improved fairness, cost, and efficiency in civil justice systems while relieving backlogs exacerbated by the pandemic.

• Unlocking E-Discovery: A Toolkit for Judges in State Courts Across the Nation (2013)
  Brittany Kaufmann
  This toolkit serves as a resource guide for state judges and attorneys facing e-discovery issues in their courts.
• Seventh Circuit E-Discovery Pilot Program Phase Reports (2009-2013)
  These reports (Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3) chronicle a pilot program’s progress in implementing pretrial litigation procedures to reduce e-discovery costs in the Seventh Circuit.
• Navigating the Hazards of E-Discovery: A Manual for Judges in State Courts Across the Nation (2012)
  Institute for the Advancement of the Legal System
  This manual provides direction and resources to judges presiding over cases involving e-discovery.
• Managing Discovery of Electronic Information: A Pocket Guide for Judges, 2nd ed. (2012)
  Barbara Rothstein, Ronald Hedges, Elizabeth Wiggins
  This pocket guide provides federal judges advice on managing discovery of electronically stored information (ESI). Issues unique to ESI and strategies for early and sustained supervision are discussed.
• Conference of Chief Justices Guidelines for State Trial Courts Regarding Discovery of Electronically Stored Information (2006)
  Richard Van Duizend, Reporter
  This report provides state court judges with guidelines for identifying and applying standardized decision-making factors when considering e-discovery related issues.

• Remote Appearances of Parties, Attorneys and Witnesses: A Review of Current Court Rules and Practices (2017)
  John Greacen, Self-Represented Litigation Network
  This report covers both remote appearances of parties and attorneys at court proceedings and the remote presentation of evidence for those proceedings.
• Compendium of Statutes and Court Rules Relating to Appearances of Parties, Lawyers and Witnesses in Court Proceedings (2017)
  Barbara John Greacen, Self-Represented Litigation Network
  This supplemental report provides state-by-state statutes and court rules.
• Use of Telephonic and Video Conferencing Technology in Remote Court Appearances (2016) 
  Vincent Morris and Stewart Whaley, Open Access Law Firm, PLLC
  This supplemental report provides a summary review of current and emerging trends using technology for remote court appearances and provides suggestions for court regarding this technology
• NLP  Report (2023)
  This report describes findings of a proof of concept (POC) study on the feasibility of  natural language programing (NLP) for civil case management.
• A Description of AI and Court Use Cases (video)  (2023) This video explains natural language processing (NLP) and related technologies and their use in civil case management.
• Steps Towards a Successful Implementation of AI  (video) (2023)       This video provides  trips on successful implementation of natural language processing (NLP) and related technologies.

• Impact of the FASTAR Pilot Program on Civil Cases in the Superior Court in Pima County
  This report summarizes findings from an evaluation of a pilot project in the Superior Court in Pima County, Arizona.  The pilot project was designed to provide parties in cases valued less than $50,000 to choose to have their case resolved by bench or jury trial rather than compulsory arbitration.  The evaluation found that one-quarter of plaintiffs chose the “Fast Trial” option, and approximately 3% of those cases were eventually disposed by bench or jury trial, fulfilling the program’s expectations that attorneys would gain valuable trial experience.  However, attorney survey responses indicated less positive assessments, especially concerning the fairness of the program rules to plaintiffs and restrictions on the right to appeal from arbitration judgments.
• Implementation of the Fast Trial and Alternative Resolution (FASTAR) Pilot Program in Pima County (2018)
  Administrative Order No. 2017-116
  FASTAR changes the rules governing mandatory arbitration valued less than $50,000. Plaintiffs are required to affirmatively choose either a short trial or mandatory arbitration; plaintiffs who fail to choose one of those options are defaulted into the short trial track. The appendix to this Administrative Order explains the rules of the program and provides forms.
• Trial by Agreement: How Trial Lawyers Hold the Key to Improving Jury Trials in Civil Cases (2013)
  Stephen Susman and Thomas Melsheimer, 20(3) Voir Dire 2013
  Two highly regarded litigators describe ways in which trial lawyers can help improve the management of civil jury trials.
• Short, Summary & Expedited: The Evolution of Civil Jury Trials (NCSC 2012)
  Paula Hannaford-Agor, Nicole Waters, Amy McDowell, Susan Keilitz, Cynthia Lee
  Case studies informed by stakeholder interviews and secondary research describe the development and operation of six general jurisdiction summary jury trial programs.
• A Return to Trials: Implementing Effective Short, Summary, and Expedited Civil Action Programs (NCSC October 2012)Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System
  This report provides an overview of a Short, Summary and Expedited (SSE) program as well as SSE Committee recommendations on implementing and sustaining an SSE program.
• Data Collection: Civil Justice Survey of State Courts
  Data from various years (range 1992-2005) provided as part of a systemic evaluation of the nature of civil litigation across the country. Publications using this data can also be found by clicking on the link above.
• Trial Trends and Implications for the Civil Justice System (NCSC 2005)
  Paula Hannaford-Agor, Robert LaFountain, Shauna Strickland
  Researchers used data from the 2001 Civil Justice Survey of the State Courts to identify recent trends in civil trials in addition to their causes and possible policy implications.
• An Empirical Overview of Civil Trial Litigation (NCSC 2005)
  Robert LaFountain and Neal Kauder
  This articles provides the first synopsis of data gathered in 1992, 1996, and 2001 as part of the Civil Justice Surveys of State Courts. Key findings such as the proportion of jury to bench trials are discussed.
• Supplemental Civil Appeals Survey (NCSC)As part of the Civil Justice Survey, the National Center for State Courts also gathered information on appellate court practices and procedures across the country. This information is organized both in state profiles and state reports. 
  Profiles
  Reports

Articles resulting from the supplemental study of civil appeals are as follows:

• Civil Trials on Appeal Part 1 (NCSC 2007)Nicole Waters
• Civil Trials on Appeal Part 2 (NCSC 2007)
  Nicole Waters and Tracy Sohni
  This two-part Caseload Highlights series highlights findings, from the 2001 Civil Justice Survey of State Courts-Supplemental Study of Civil Appeals, including timeliness, success rates, and issues raised on appeal.
  Caseload Highlights, Part 2

• Reimagining Civil Case Management (2021)
  State courts today are embracing a considerably broader view of civil case management that encompasses the total constellation of court rules, business practices, culture and governance and staffing and technology infrastructure.
• Civil Justice Initiative Pilot Project (CJIPP) Evaluation (2019)
  This report summarizes findings from an evaluation of the impact of the Civil Justice Initiative Pilot Project (CJIPP) in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida (Miami-Dade).  Implementing Civil Case Management Teams (CCMTs) to support four judges in the Circuit Civil Division resulted in significantly higher case closure rates and reductions in time-to-disposition compared to cases assigned to judges operating with preexisting case management practices.  Most attorneys for CJIPP cases agreed that the program improved civil case management, and CJIPP judges reported that the program removed some of the administrative burden of case management, providing more time to gather information about cases, review case details before hearings or deciding motions, and other case or legal-related tasks.  The report concludes with lessons learned about implementing CCMTs.
• Tiering: Why and How (2018) 
  Don Bivens and Hon. Jeffrey Bergin
  This video and powerpoint presentation, presented at the 2018 Arizona Civil Justice Summit, discusses Arizona's attempt to build proportionality into their civil case management system through tiering and the discovery limits associated with each tier.
• Working Smarter Not Harder: How Excellent Judges Manage Cases (2014)Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System
  This report 1) discusses the findings from an interview portion of a study on civil pretrial management techniques that might reduce costs and delays and 2) aims to provide proven techniques for efficient civil pretrial case management.
• Case Triage for the 21st Century (NCSC 2011)
  Thomas Clarke and Victor Flango
  This article proposes a more refined "triage" approach to case management in the 21st century. Under the new approach, differentiated case management efforts should focus more on the issues raised by a case rather than the case type.
• Model Time Standards for State Trial Courts (NCSC 2011)
  National Center for State Courts
  Based on a review of existing time-to-disposition standards, this document proposes new Model Time Standards in an attempt to "unify the current set of disparate national time standards to the greatest degree."
• Business Process Automation: Case Studies (NCSC 2013)
  Larry Webster and John Matthias, NCSC 
  This report documents the three jurisdictions efforts around business process automation and best practices/techniques for implementing automation.
• Civil Litigation Management Manual (2010)
  Judicial Conference of the United States: Committee on Court Administration and Case Management
  This manual addresses a variety of case-management techniques for the cost-effective and timely administration of civil dockets.
• 21st Century Civil Justice System: A Roadmap for Reform, Civil Caseflow Management Guidelines (2009)
  Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System
  This report presents caseflow guidelines to help jurisdictions achieve efficiencies in civil case management.
• Improving Caseflow Management: A Brief Guide (2008)
  David Steelman
  This report details a variety of ways courts can achieve caseflow management improvements.
• Electronic Case Filing Kicks Off at Orange County Clerk's Office (NCSC 2006)
  James E. McMillan, NCSC
  Court Technology Bulletin
• NLP  Report (2023)           This report describes findings of  a proof of concept (POC) study on feasibility of natural language programming  (NLP) for civil case management.
• A Description  of AI and Court Use Cases  (video)  (2023)   This video explains natural language processing (NLP) and related technologies and their use in civil case management.
• Steps Towards a Successful Implementation of AI (video) (2023)  This video provides tips on successful implementation of natural language processing (NLP) and related technologies.

• Evaluation of the Centers for Complex Litigation Pilot Program (NCSC 2003)
• Mass Tort Management in State and Federal Courts: A Case Study of Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Litigation (NCSC 2006)
• Comment: Federal MCL Fourth and Suggestions for State Court Management of Mass Litigation(NCSC 2006)
• Managing Complexities in Complex Cases: A Judicial Education Curriculum (NCSC 2006)
• Complex Litigation: Key Findings from the California Pilot Program (NCSC Winter 2004)
• Mass Torts: Lessons in Competing Strategies and Unintended Consequences (NCSC Spring 2003)
• Civil Action: Focus on Business and Complex Litigation Courts (NCSC August 2000)
• Multijurisdictional Litigation Website: A Joint Project of the National Center for State Courts, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, and the Federal Judicial Center
• Manual for Complex Litigation: Fourth (NCSC 2004)Federal Judicial Center
  This manual discusses previously successful approaches to managing complex litigation.
• Judicial Federalism in Action: Coordination of Litigation in State and Federal Courts (1992)William Schwarzer, Nancy Weiss, and Alan Hirsch
  This article, published in the Virginia Law Review, discusses ways in which state and federal judges have coordinated complex litigation in their courts.

• Mass Tort Management in State and Federal Courts: A Case Study of the Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Litigation (NCSC 2006)
  Albert Sheng and Paula Hannaford-Agor
  This paper discusses case management issues in the Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) litigation.
• Comment: Federal MCL Fourth and Suggestions for State Court Management of Mass Litigation (NCSC 2006)
  Paula Hannaford-Agor
  This comment provides ideas and suggestions for mass litigation caseload management in the state courts as it compares, and possibly differs from, the MCL Fourth.
• Judicial Management of Mass Tort Bankruptcy Cases (2005)
  S. Elizabeth Gibson
  A resource guide for judges, policymakers, and academics in solving issues related to mass tort bankruptcy reorganizations, including the large number of personal injury claims associated with this litigation.

• Preventing Whack-a-Mole Management of Consumer Debt Cases: A Proposal for a Coherent and Comprehensive Approach for State Courts (2020)
  This white paper on consumer debt collection was developed in response to requests for the CJI Implementation Plan to provide guidance to state court policymakers on managing different types of debt collection cases, given the growing caseload and recognition of existing gaps in effective case management in our courts.
• Repairing a Broken System: Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Litigation and Arbitration (July 2010)
  Federal Trade Commission
  This report summarizes problems and proposes solutions related to consumer debt collection actions including insufficient notice in pleadings and service of process, prosecution of time-barred action, and garnishment of exempt funds.

• Benefits and Costs of Civil Justice Reform (NCSC 2016)
  Paula Hannaford-Agor
  This paper offers preliminary estimates of the cost savings resulting from four particular reforms implemented in various states and localities.
• Measuring the Cost of Civil Litigation (NCSC 2013)
  Paula Hannaford-Agor
  This article presents results from a survey of trial lawyers in an effort to more accurately assess the cost of civil litigation.
• Estimating the Cost of Civil Litigation (NCSC January 2013)
  Appendices
  Paula Hannaford-Agor and Nicole Waters
  This Caseload Highlights article discusses the National Center for State Courts’ development and pilot testing of the Civil Litigation Cost Model (CLCM), an event-based approach to civil litigation cost estimation.
• Another Voice: Financial Experts on Reducing Client Costs in Civil Litigation (2012)
  AICPA in partnership with the American Institute for the Advancement of the Legal System
  This report offers five recommendations for judges and other civil litigation stakeholders to maximize the effectiveness of financial experts in the civil pretrial process.
• In Their Words: Attorney Views About Costs and Procedures in Civil Litigation (2010)
  Thomas Willging and Emery Lee III
  This article presents the findings of attorney interviews on factors leading to higher costs in federal civil litigation. Attorney interviewees also discuss pleading standards.

• Preventing Whack-a-Mole Management of Consumer Debt Cases: A Proposal for a Coherent and Comprehensive Approach for State Courts (2020)
• Evaluation of a Demonstration Pilot Project of the Civil Justice Initiative, Fulton County Magistrate Court (2019) (Dec. 2019)
• Caseload Highlights: Examining Debt Collection, Landlord/Tenant, and Small Claims Cases (Nov. 2019)
• IAALS, Ensuring the Right to be Heard: Guidance for Trial Judges in Cases Involving Self-Represented Litigants (Nov. 2019)
• IAALS, Guidelines for Creating Effective Self-help Information (Nov. 2019)
• Meeting the Challenges of High-Volume Dockets (NCSC 2015)
• NLP Report (2023)
• A Description of AI and Court Use Cases (video) (2023)
• Steps Towards  a Successful Implementation of AI  (video) (2023)

• Medical Malpractice Litigation in State Courts (NCSC 2011)
  Cynthia Lee and Robert LaFountain
  This Caseload Highlights article presents information on the scope, results, and defining characteristics of medical malpractice litigation in the state courts.
• Medical Malpractice on Appeal (NCSC 2009)
  Cynthia Lee and Nicole Waters
  Researchers explore the dynamics of appellate medical malpractice litigation, with particular attention paid to the factors influencing a decision to appeal, what the issues are on appeal, and how medical malpractice appeals are resolved.

• Business and Commercial Litigation Courts: Training Curriculum
• Business and Commercial Litigation Courts: Course Curriculum
• Ten Things Judges Can Do to Help Business Litigation Be More Efficient and Less Expensive (2014)
  Patrick Lamb
  A business litigator offers judicial action points to help address problems with cost and efficiency in litigation.
• Momentum for Change: The Impact of the Colorado Civil Access Pilot Project (Oct. 2014)
  Corina Gerety and Logan Cornett, IAALS 
  This report is the final iteration of an evaluation of Colorado's Civil Access Pilot Project. The report discusses the effects of the pilot project with respect to time, cost, fairness, discovery, motion practice, and other key aspects of the civil case process.
• Commercial Division Rule Changes will Foster Efficiency and Predictability (Sept. 2014)
  Margaret Dale and David Jacobson, N.Y. L. J. 
  This article highlights recent and potentially forthcoming changes to New York's Commercial Division Rules. These changes are based on the 2012 report of the Task Force on Commercial Litigation in the 21st Century and aim to reduce the delay and expense of litigation.
• Getting to Yes in Specialized Courts: The Unique Role of ADR in Business Court Cases (2010)
  Benjamin Tenille, Lee Applebaum, and Ann Tucker Nees, 11 Pepperdine Disp. Res. L.J. 35 
  This article provides a broad overview of ADR in business courts. The authors include enabling procedural rules and survey responses regarding the use of ADR across the country.

• Judicial Leadership & Civil Justice Reform (2018)
  Hon. Jerome Abrams 
  This video and powerpoint presentation was given by Judge Abrams, of Dakota County, Minnesota, to the attendees of the 2018 Arizona Civil Justice Summit and provides an overview of the Landscape of Civil Litigation in State Courts report and discusses the importance of leadership in civil justice reform.
• Reforming Our Civil Justice System: A Report on Progress and Promise (2015)
  American College of Trial Lawyers Taskforce on Discovery and Civil Justice and the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System 
  A follow-up to the 2009 ACTL Taskforce report which proposed 29 principles for reform in the civil justice system, this report builds on those principles, as well as the 2011 Roadmap to Reform series, through a summary of state civil reform efforts and a call to action for continued civil justice reform.
• The American Civil Justice System: From Recommendations to Reform in the 21st Century (2013)
  Rebecca Love Kourlis and Brittany Kauffman
  This article highlights recent civil justice reform themes in both state and federal courts that point the way toward future changes in the civil justice system.
• Excess and Access: Consensus on the American Civil Justice Landscape (2011)
  Corina Gerety
  Excess and Access provides a comprehensive overview of the American civil justice system through an analysis of judicial and attorney responses to four national surveys.
• Achieving High Performance: A Framework for Courts (NCSC 2010) Abridged version available here
  Brian Ostrom and Roger Hanson
  This framework recommends efforts courts can undertake to achieve performance improvement in ongoing operations. Taken together, the efforts form a system by which courts can positively impact the administration of justice.
• 21st Century Civil Justice System: A Roadmap for Reform Measuring Innovation (2010)
  Institute for the Advancement of the Legal System and National Center for State Courts
  This article describes the proposed methodology for an empirical evaluation of civil justice reforms in state courts.
• Final Report on the Joint Project of The American College of Trial Lawyers Taskforce on Discovery and the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (2009)
  This report presents principles for reform as it pertains to the role of discovery in perceived problems in the civil justice system.
• 21st Century Civil Justice System: A Roadmap for Reform Pilot Project Rules (2009)
  Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System and the American College of Trial Lawyers Taskforce on Discovery and Civil Justice
  This reports applies previously developed principles of civil justice reform through recommended pilot project rules.

• Online Dispute Resolution and The Courts: The Promise of 100% To Justice (2016) 
  HiiL Innovating Justice
  As innovators within the ODR world, HiiL Innovating Justice hosted their 2016 Online Dispute Resolution conference in the Hague. The outcome of this event, is this Trend Report and its bold claim to provide 100% access to justice.